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Gauri Gill's exhibition on immigrants showcased in Columbia University
"The Americans, 2000–2007" Reflects Diasporic Identity Amid Post-9/11 Scrutiny
Indian grocery store in Queens, New York 2004 from The Americans, 2000-2007. / Wallach Art Gallery
Columbia University’s Wallach Art Gallery has invited people from diverse backgrounds to explore "Looking for Ourselves: Gauri Gill’s The Americans, 2000–2007," marking the institution's inaugural solo exhibition featuring a contemporary artist from South Asia. The exhibit showcases the work of Gauri Gill, a distinguished photographer and recipient of the Prix Pictet award.
Opening on Mar. 22 and continuing until Apr. 7, the exhibition spotlights an early collection of work from the photographer's portfolio, "The Americans, 2000–2007." This marks the first time this series has been displayed in America since its debut tour from galleries and museums in India to the US exactly 16 years ago.
"Looking for Ourselves" delves deeper into immigrant life in America, moving beyond conventional narratives and perceptions. By exploring the family album as a repository for collective histories, personal memories, and aspirations, the exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on their own evolving narratives as Americans.
Throughout her career, Gill has devoted herself to documenting individuals on the fringes of society, including indigenous peoples, marginalized castes, nomads, small-scale farmers, and laborers. Her work centers on revealing the nuances of their everyday existence, especially their resilience in the face of adversity.
Captured both before and after the events of 9/11, "The Americans, 2000–2007" mirrors Gill's exploration of diasporic identity during a time when immigrant belonging was increasingly scrutinized by the American media and government.
“I was profoundly influenced by conversations surrounding the deaths of Indian international student, Jaahnavi Kandula in Seattle in early 2023, and more recently, the death of Sikh taxi driver Jasmer Singh in New York” said curator Roma Patel. “These instances of hate crime are heartbreaking yet common headlines in America today. As our community mourns these individuals, we grapple with how such stories are tied to immigrants’ histories and reflect our own ongoing questioning, examining, and reassessment of our existence as Americans. In this exhibition, I hope to complicate understandings of what being American looks and feels like for immigrant communities, recognizing our constant metamorphosis in imagining our American identity and experience.”
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